The United States has accepted an airplane designed for the Air Force One of Qatar, a gift that has sparked criticism, including some of President Trump's biggest supporters.
“The Minister of Defense has adopted Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnel on Wednesday.
The aircraft will need to be modified before it can be used as part of the Air Force One – the official air transport mode of the president.
The White House insists that the gift is legal, but the announcement of the transfer a week ago caused huge disputes.
The aircraft is a gift from the Qatari royal family and is valued worth $ 400 million (£ 300 million). The White House says the new plane will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library at the end of his term.
This may require years and millions of dollars to fit into additional security systems and upgrades needed to transport the president.
Justifying the transfer a week ago, Trump said, “They give us a gift.” The president also said it would be “stupid” to take off the plane.
The US Constitution has a provision known as the remuneration clause that prohibits gifts from government officials from foreign governments without congress authorization. The transfer has not received congressional approval.
The president claims that the transfer of the aircraft is legal because it is given to the US Department of Defense and not to it personally. He also insisted that he would not use it after leaving office.
The current Air Force One fleet includes two 747-200 aircraft, which have been used since 1990, along with several smaller 757s.